Coleman hoops ends in tie after Pistons boot Comets from Palace court

Published 8:00 pm, Saturday, February 23, 2013

AUBURN HILLS — On Saturday, the Coleman boys’ basketball team traveled to The Palace of Auburn Hills for its annual tradition of playing a regular-season game at the home of the Detroit Pistons.

This year, however, the Pistons needed their home court before the game was finished.

The Comets ended up in a 63-63 tie after one overtime period against Montabella in nonconference action, and the game ended in a draw when the Pistons decided to hold a closed-court practice before their game Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers.

“It’s not very often you coach a game that ends in a tie; that’s unusual,” said Coleman coach Byron Schunk. “The kids always look forward to playing (at The Palace), and it’s a lot different that playing at Coleman High School.”

Coleman (9-7-1) went up 19-11 by the end of the first quarter, and had a 28-22 edge at halftime.

In the third, the Mustangs outscored the Comets 22-16 to send the game into the fourth quarter tied up 44-44.

Both teams tallied 14 points in the fourth, sending the game into overtime at 58-58.

Coleman’s Riley Bell notched a career-high 26 points with 10 rebounds and four assists. Tim Anderson posted a double-double for the Comets with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Lars Murray scored 11 with four assists.

Montabella was led by Nate Jankainky with 18 points.

Coleman hosts St. Louis on Tuesday.

Saginaw Arthur Hill 61,

Bay City Western 58

AUBURN — Saginaw Arthur Hill clinched the Saginaw Valley League North boys’ basketball championship on Saturday with a 61-58 victory at Bay City Western.

The Lumberjacks (17-3 overall, 13-1 SVL) finish their season of Saginaw High (12-2 SVL) and Midland High (10-4 SVL). The Trojans have one game remaining, while the Chemics have two left.

On Saturday, Arthur Hill was pushed to the limit by the 3-15 Warriors (3-11 SVL).

Bay City Western led 16-11 at the end of the first quarter and took a slim 29-27 edge into halftime.

By the close of the third, the game was tied 43-43.

In the fourth, the Lumberjacks outscored Western 18-15, thanks in large part to 15 trips to the free throw line.

“It was our best basketball of the year,” Warriors’ coach Dan Snover said. “We went into halftime feeling good, but toward the end of the game, (the difference) was just a couple of possessions here and there. It was a high-energy, physical game, and we gave (Arthur Hill) a battle.”

Western was led by Kollin Slachta with 16 points, while Cameron Roth scored nine. Mike Bell led the team with seven rebounds, while Shane Marsh and Scott Badour each pulled down six boards. Slachta had five rebounds, while Bell and Connor Foley each dished out five assists.

HARRISON — A 22-point third quarter helped Gladwin bounce back from a tough loss on Friday to defeat host Harrison 67-55 on Saturday in Jack Pine Conference boys’ basketball.

“We were able to stretch (our lead) out in the third,” Gladwin coach Kirk Taylor said. “We were able to take control in the third, but Harrison kept coming. We took a beating (Friday in a 57-18 loss to Beaverton), but it was nice to come here on the road and win. It’s a step in the right direction.”

The Flying G’s (5-13, 4-9 JPC) led 28-23 at halftime, then outscored the Hornets 22-8 in the third to go into the fourth with a 50-31 advantage.

The Hornets fought back in the fourth, outscoring Gladwin 24-17 to narrow the gap.

Gladwin was led by Hayden Scott with 23 points, while Blake Pahl added 13 points, and Nick Donovan had a team-leading eight rebounds.

For Harrison, Brett Coughlin had 19 points overall, with 15 of them coming in the fourth on three 3-pointers and 6-of-6 shooting at the free throw line.

The Flying G’s host Ogemaw Heights on Tuesday, then wrap up their regular season Thursday at Farwell.